Edinburgh 16 Flog It!

Scotland has some of the world's most stunning scenery,

peppered with lochs, castles, country houses.

This is Hopetoun House, just outside of Edinburgh in Scotland.

It's a truly unique country house, and it's our venue for today.

Welcome to Flog It!

Hopetoun House has been home to the Hopetoun family for ten generations,

and it sits amongst 6,500 acres of beautiful landscape.

It's filled with exquisite furniture,

impressive paintings and terrifying taxidermy.

But today the ballroom holds a cast and crew of around 150 people,

setting up for a momentous Flog It! valuation day,

but all of this will come to nothing

unless there's a great crowd of people outside,

laden with antiques and collectables, who want to flog them.

So shall we go outside and see if anybody's here yet?

Oh, just look at this, a healthy queue of people already.

-Are you raring to go?

-Yes!

-Yes!

They're all here underneath the colonnade, taking shelter

from the rain, but we won't let that weather dampen our spirits today

because everybody here wants to see our experts.

They want their antiques valued, and they want to know the answer

to that all-important question, which is...

What's it worth?

Stay tuned - you'll find out.

Putting the prices on today's pieces are two masters

of the valuation tables. The all-seeing eye, James Lewis.

Anyone seen Adam Partridge?

And the quickest of minds, Adam Partridge.

I don't know much about Scottish football memorabilia.

-Well, we'll help you.

-Oh, will you?!

They're searching the queue for treasures that are both fascinating

and worth a packet, but will their valuations be on the money?

And which one of them will find the star lot of the day?

It's time to shake off the brollies

and invite the people into our valuation day location.

On today's show, Adam and James are fighting it out

over three pieces of intriguing militaria -

a wobbly sword...

It bends like that for a really good reason.

..two medals called Pipsqueak and Wilfred...

They're all to the same person,

-who is Sgt AB Jolly.

-That's it.

..and a suit of rusty armour.

Matthew, I have to say, you look as if you have robbed

the dungeons of some Scottish castle somewhere!

Can you guess which doubles its estimate at auction?

-Having a good time, everyone?

-Yes!

-Yes! That's what it's all about.

There's definitely a party atmosphere here today.

Hundreds of people have turned up,

which means hundreds of antiques to value. In fact, possibly thousands.

Our experts do have their work cut out today

so we'd better get started.

Let's hand the proceedings over to James Lewis.

Patricia, I have to say,

coming here to Edinburgh, I was expecting somebody to turn up

with a big Scottish broadsword or something like a dirk,

or something classically Scottish.

And we've ended up with that,

which is about as unlike a Scottish sword

as you can possibly get.

-What's the story?

-I found them in my dad's attic!

-You found them in his attic?

-I did, yes.

They've been up there for as long as I can remember, before...

And what were they doing up there? Do you remember them as a child?

-No. No.

-How interesting.

Well, what we've got are two totally different pieces.

Now, let's start with this.

This is known as a urumi,

which is a belt sword.

And these were used by the Tamil troops

and soldiers of southern India.

The top section, this section, is obvious.

You would need a hand smaller than mine to get in there.

But that's your hand protector.

There's your arm protector, and...

..it's this.

It bends like that for a really good reason.

And that is, it would be worn around the waist,

so the scabbard, instead of being down like that,

actually goes in here.

So the scabbard goes in around the waist,

and this whole sword curves around the body of the wearer.

-So when they take the sword out, it's been bent and it flexes.

-Right.

And they were well-known for being the most difficult sword

-to learn to use.

-What year? What time?

Date would be about 1850, 1880,

something like that, so mid-19th century.

Then, in total contrast, is this.

So, well...a cavalry officer's sabre.

Sabre, just meaning it's curved.

It's got a steel scabbard,

with a single ring for suspension around the waist,

and a wire-bound leather grip.

So one British...

..and one Indian.

Both 19th century.

That's worth, I would say,

£100-£150.

-And that's almost identical. 100 to 150.

-Right.

But interesting things.

I think they'll do jolly well at the auction,

-and fingers crossed they'll make top end.

-Thank you very much.

-Is that all right?

-Yes, thank you very much.

-OK.

A bendy, wobbly sword called a urumi.

Well, you learn something every day.

Adam, however, has discovered an item from a little closer to home.

It's really nice to see a piece which I think is Glasgow School,

Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau.

-What do you reckon?

-Absolutely.

It's what attracted me to it in the very first place

when I bought it in an antiques shop.

How long ago was that?

-Nearly 40 years.

-Oh, right.

-Yeah.

When you were just a very young boy.

-Very much interested in Art Nouveau.

-Yeah.

Saw this, saw the crisp, straight lines.

-Yes. Very clean.

-Knew it was going to be

-a piece of Glasgow School of Art Nouveau...

-Yes.

..and grabbed it. I thought, "That's something I want."

Oh, yeah.

We've got the Mackintosh style decoration,

the heart-shaped enamel.

-It just ticks so many boxes.

-Yeah.

-On the sides, we've got the dragonflies.

-Yes.

It's just a lovely thing. So you clearly love it, I love it.

What's made you decide to sell it?

Because if it was mine, I don't think I would.

Well, I've loved it for all that length of time.

Unfortunately, I'm in a small house.

It's crammed with books,

and it sits in the library

and it's literally piled with books on top,

books in front, so it's better being

-sent to somebody.

-Move it on to a new home.

-Yeah.

And, of course, this is all the rage at the moment, you know.

This is very current.

So, Sam, now down to value.

Well, overall condition-wise, it looks pretty sound.

All the enamelling's intact, as you know, it's really important

-the enamelling on both sides is to be intact.

-Yes.

The only thing I've noticed is this little crack this side, isn't there?

-Yes.

-Which is a great shame.

Yes, it's 100 years old, it's going to have something wrong with it,

but it does go through to the other side.

-I just worry how much that's going to affect it, commercially.

-Yes.

Do you remember what it cost you?

Back then, it was about £35.

OK, which was a lot then as well.

Yes, not bad.

Where do you see it now?

Around 200-300.

-Are you telepathic as well, Sam?

-Telepathic?!

-Because it's exactly what I was thinking. £200-300.

-Right.

Although, at what price would you rather have it back

cluttering up your library?

-200.

-200.

-Is that too much? Too high?

If you could go lower, I think you'd give it a better chance.

If we did 150-250, with a 150 reserve, I think that might

just drag in more people to bid on it,

and you might end up getting over the top.

Right. Let's go with that.

Obviously, it's important to us that we get the best possible

price for you, and I'm trying to advise you accordingly.

Thank you again for bringing it.

I look forward to seeing it come under the hammer,

and hopefully making a good deal more than the top estimate still.

Excellent.

What a wonderful piece of local art.

Still as fashionable today as it was over 40 years ago.

While the valuations are still in full flow,

I went to discover more treasures inside

the historical Hopetoun House.

Wow. How about this for a young man's bedroom?

It was designed in the late 17th century.

It was the height of luxury back then,

and, for me, well, it still is today.

It was designed, in fact, for the first Earl of Hopetoun,

who was only one-year-old when his father was sadly killed

in a shipwreck, making the young Earl the man of the house.

At the age of one!

Well, his mother, Lady Margaret Hamilton, oversaw

the running of the house, and the building work that was going on here

up until it was completed and the Earl came of age,

and then he slept in this room, in this bed.

And, no doubt, he had a good night's sleep in that four-poster.

Isn't that just stunning? Anyway, there's no rest for the wicked.

Our valuations are still in full swing over in the ballroom.

And it's Adam's turn to put a value

on some items of military significance.

Jeanette, whenever I see medals coming up for auction,

whether on Flog It! or through the auctions,

I can't help thinking sometimes, "Why are the families selling them,

"and the contribution that these brave men made for the country?"

Now, please, tell me that these aren't your grandfather's medals.

-No, they're definitely not.

-OK.

I brought them today on behalf of my sister, who couldn't come,

and they're her ex-husband's grandfather's medals.

-OK, so no great sentimental connection for you.

-No.

-Or for your sister, really.

-Not now, No.

-OK. Well, I'm glad you came

because we've got an interesting collection of medals.

They're all to the same person, who is, um...

"Sgt A...

"B...Jolly."

That's it.

"Of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment."

-That's right.

-Very good. Which is an interesting regiment, actually,

and we've got two different wars, so he went off to fight

in the Boer Wars,

and this is the Queen's South Africa Medal,

Victoria there, and these four clasps represent...

-Are they different battles?

-That's right.

-Oh, right.

-Yes.

And then again in the King's South Africa Medal,

-with South Africa 1902 and 1901 bars there.

-Right.

So he's obviously come back from them safely,

stayed in the military and then, 13 years later,

gone off again to fight in the First World War.

-It's amazing to think of it really, isn't it?

-I know.

And he's picked up the war victory medals

-and the '14-'15 star.

-Right.

-So these are fairly standard World War I medals.

-Right.

And, in fact, those two are usually referred to as Pipsqueak and Wilfred.

-Are they, really?!

-Because everybody got one.

-Oh, right!

-The star should have the name on the back. There we go.

-Right.

"Sgt AB Jolly."

And you don't see as many, perhaps,

from the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

as you do from certain other regiments.

So they will really tell a story.

Now, medal collectors are a passionate bunch,

and there's a real joy for them in researching the soldier.

-And, these days, with the online...

-Oh, yes.

-..capabilities,

you can find out lots about this soldier,

what he did and all those other things.

I tried to do it myself but I'm not very good with the internet,

-so I didn't get far.

-Well, they've also got medal books.

But this is where the value lies.

And the World War I trios here

-are worth £30-50, or something like that.

-Right.

-These two boost the value right up to about £300.

-Right.

-I would have thought £300-400 for the group....

-Right.

..would be a sensible estimate.

-Right.

-Does that sound all right with you?

-Yes, that sounds fine.

Always nice to see a nice medal group.

All five of them to the same recipient,

and quite an impressive collection, so thanks very much.

Thank you. Thanks very much.

Well, what a day we're having here. Everyone's having so much fun.

And I'm sitting in a section of the crowd that hasn't had

a valuation yet, so good luck to all of you.

This could be you up next, you never know. Keep watching.

But right now, as you've just seen,

our experts have been working flat out.

It's time for our first visit to the saleroom.

And here's a quick recap of what we're taking with us.

Two very different swords from two continents,

both valued at the same price, but which one will make the most money

for owner Patricia?

There are lots of collectors of medals,

so this lot should make the top of the estimate.

This stunning Glasgow School of Art planter

is valued at £150-£250

and is being sold at the perfect place...

..just four miles outside of Glasgow at Anita Manning's

Great Western auction house.

On auction preview day, the room is brimming with beauties.

Anita is just one of them!

Anita, the saleroom is looking colourful,

-and you're looking wonderful and colourful as well.

-Thank you!

I've got a little funny tale here. Look at this.

-This reminds me of Horace Walpole. You know Strawberry Hill?

-Of course.

Down in Twickenham. We filmed down there recently,

and I found out that Grinling Gibbons,

the most famous woodcarver in the world, carved him a cravat in wood.

SHE LAUGHS

-What do you think?

-Paul, that's just you!

I know you like your oak.

Anyway, look, as I said, it does look fantastic in here.

Now, you're a Glasgow girl.

We have a little jardiniere brought along to our valuation day by Sam,

as you know, and here it is. Tell us a bit more about the Glasgow Girls.

The Glasgow Girls were a wonderful group

of women artists and designers.

Late 19th, early 20th century.

They had graduated from the Glasgow School of Art.

They were living and working in Glasgow, round about Glasgow.

They were exhibiting internationally.

They were a big deal at that time.

Now this little pot came into us.

-We are attributing it to Margaret Gilmore.

-Ooh!

Now she was a very important metalworker at this time.

The reason that we are able to attribute this particular piece

to her is because of the wonderful dragonfly decoration.

-That was one of her motifs, was it?

-That was one of motifs.

You see, it's all about provenance in this business, isn't it?

If you can get the provenance attributed to that piece,

-the value goes up.

-It goes up.

-So has the value of this gone up?

-Yes.

Well, I hope so, Paul. I hope so, I hope so.

-Well, look, as you know, anything can happen...

-Anything can happen.

..in an auction. So don't go away.

First up are those mighty swords. Which will make the most money?

The British sabre or the Indian urumi?

Well, we could be the Three Musketeers with our next lot,

couldn't we? Definitely.

We've got a collection of swords belonging to Patricia going under the hammer.

Valued in two separate lots by James,

and we're selling as two separate lots.

-It's the sabre in this first lot, isn't it?

-Yep.

Going under the hammer right now.

19th-century cavalry sabre.

What could we take? 150? 100?

£50? 50 bid.

50 bid. Any advance on 50? 60.

Any advance on 60?

70. 80.

90. 100.

100. 110.

On Claire's phone, 110.

120. 130.

140. 150.

160. 170.

170.

It's on the phone with Claire at £170.

Any advance on 170?

All done at 170. 170.

Yes! £170, we just got that one away, didn't we?

Here's the next lot.

The 19th-century South Indian pata.

I'm holding bids on the books, ladies and gentlemen,

and I'll start the bidding at...

..£120.

-Oh, that's good.

-Straight in.

120. Any advance? 130, 140.

150. 160.

170. 180.

190. 200.

Nope? 200. 210.

210, on the books.

220, with Cat.

220.

230, on the books.

-230...

-240. 250, on the books.

The market for anything Indian is really booming, at the moment.

£260.

It's on the phone at £260.

Any advance on 260?

Any advance on 260? All done at 260. 260.

-Yes! What's that, 430?

-Yeah.

-Brilliant.

-All told. Fantastic.

-Thank you very much.

-Well done.

The urumi won the battle and maybe it will find its way back to India.

Next up, Jeanette's hoping to sell her sister's medals.

I've just been joined by Jeannette and Adam,

and going under the hammer right now, we have a group of medals.

I think the most important has to be the Boer War medals.

-You will agree on that?

-Yeah, there's two South African medals there.

Fingers crossed we get that top end of the estimate.

Good luck, everyone. This is it.

Lot five, ladies and gentlemen.

Can we say 400?

300? Start me at £200.

£300 for five medals is about right.

Well, it's the two with the bars,

the South Africa ones. The other three are very common.

200. 210. 220.

230. 240. 250.

260. 270. 280. 290.

The book is out.

Any advance on 290 on the medals?

Any advance on 290? All done at 290.

290.

£290! We nearly got that 300.

-But we're happy.

-I'm happy.

-You're happy.

I'm sure my sister will be happy.

The medals just scraped the discretionary reserve.

Will the local planter have more luck?

Fingers crossed, Sam, and you, Adam.

I think we'll get top money for this.

Going under the hammer right now,

we have an Art Nouveau planter.

Now, on the auction preview day, a Glasgow girl told me

-this could be attributed to a Glasgow Girl.

-Oh, good.

Margaret Gilmore.

-The design looks right, the dragonfly's right.

-Perfect.

Everything's right about it. Condition. Good for you.

Well, tell us the story. How did you pick this up?

I got it from an antiques shop in Perth.

How much?

-£35.

-How long ago?

-30-odd years.

-Ah, right. Well, let's find out what the bidders think.

Great local connection to Glasgow here,

so fingers crossed, it could fly.

Let's find out. This is it.

70 is the Glasgow School Art Nouveau

repousse work white metal and enamel planter.

We can attribute this to Margaret Gilmore, ladies and gentlemen.

I'm holding bids in the books, and I can start the bidding

at £130.

-It'll make double that, at least.

-It's got to make double that.

-Yeah.

I'll take it from the floor first.

140. 150.

160. 170.

180. 190.

200. 210.

-220.

-It's good, Sam.

260. 270. 280.

290. 300.

310. 320. 330.

-340. 350.

-Very pleased!

£360.

-£360?!

-With you, sir.

All done at 360.

All done at 360. 360.

Whack! What a sold sound!

-£360.

-That's excellent.

That's a very good investment. Very good investment.

-And it sold in Glasgow.

-Yes, exactly.

-It's all worked out nicely, hasn't it?

-Yes. Job done! Perfect.

So who's the lucky owner?

I bought the planter which caught my eye yesterday

when I came to view another couple of items

and I just loved the enamelling on it.

So I decided to bid for it.

A satisfying result for both seller and buyer.

There you are, that's the end of our first visit to the saleroom

so far today and some great results.

But don't go away because we're coming back later.

Now, as you've already seen, our valuation day location

on the outskirts of Edinburgh is absolutely stunning.

It's been compared to Versailles for its architecture,

but who was responsible for such fine work?

Well, I went to investigate.

Hopetoun House is unique.

It was one of the very first houses of its kind to be built in Scotland.

What you see here is a culmination of over 60 years of construction,

not by one, or two,

but three of the greatest names in Scottish architecture.

And I'm going to walk you through its history.

Before the 17th century,

Scotland's nobility lived in castles.

They were designed to be strong and defensive with thick walls and small

windows to protect the occupants from the ravages of civil war.

So, how did Scottish architecture evolve from this...

to this?

The story starts right here with this man, William Bruce.

Sir William Bruce was one of Scotland's most important architects.

A local aristocrat born in Fife, 30 miles from Hopetoun, around 1630.

He transformed the style of Scottish country houses.

Bruce was also hugely influential in politics.

He helped Charles II return to the throne in 1659

and, as a result, was rewarded with the title

of Surveyor General of the King's Works in Scotland.

Effectively, he was the king's architect.

He rebuilt the Royal Palace of Holyroodhouse in the 1670s

and is credited with bringing the European classical style

of architecture to Scotland.

Bruce's style borrowed heavily from classical Italian design

and could, for the first time, have a place in Scotland

because the Civil War was over and the country was more stable.

So, Bruce designed a house that reflected this new security.

It could be beautiful instead of defensive with large windows

and flat vistas for miles around.

The result was the first commissioned country house

that brought a little slice of Europe to Scotland.

And just look at this spectacular stairwell.

This is the finest remaining example of Bruce's original house

and it's topped off with the most magnificent dome.

It acts as a central lantern, letting the light come flooding in

and it really does do that, even on dull days.

This whole stairwell is of the fanciful European Baroque period.

Out goes the Scottish awkward spiral staircase going up the turrets

and in comes this playful area.

And every element,

all the architectural detail of this space, makes it a real joy to be in.

Bruce's Hopetoun House should have been his greatest legacy.

The Bruce bedchamber and the garden room are some of the finest examples

of Scottish design and workmanship of the time, but it wasn't to be.

Bruce died in 1710

and 14 years after this masterpiece was completed,

the family decided to redesign the house

to suit their rising status in Scottish society.

The result was Bruce's house finished at this door.

And everything this side was built and designed by another man.

A whole new facade was added to Bruce's house.

An additional suite of rooms at the front and the sides

made the house altogether larger and more imposing.

Neil Baxter from the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland

knows all about the next man to work on Hopetoun House.

So, William Bruce was the first architect to build the house.

He died. What happened next?

The second architect was William Adam,

so one of the greatest Scottish architects and, indeed,

the founder of perhaps the most important

European architectural dynasty of that era.

It was about creating a new,

completely in vogue front of the house

and producing something that's one of the grandest country houses

in Scotland, the UK and Europe.

How did this reflect Scotland and Scottish architecture at the time?

This is a modern house of its era.

It's a powerful evocation of the influences that come in from Europe

and it's what the gentry really aspired to.

They wanted to produce something that you could actually find

the equivalent of in Italy.

This is a grand, international house of its age.

William Adam worked on Hopetoun house for over 25 years.

It was a major part of his life and career

and looking around at the scale of things, you can see why.

Sadly, he died in 1748 before the building was finished.

So, who could complete the house?

Well, the job fell to three young men who, possibly,

as young children walked up and down these corridors

watching their father hard at work.

Their names were John, Robert and James,

William Adams' three sons.

The young men were handed the family firm in their 20s

and were entrusted with completing their father's plans.

But it was Robert who was given the greatest opportunity.

He was invited by the Hope family on the Grand Tour of Europe.

This was the lucky break that would change

the face of architecture around the world.

Robert Adam was an ambitious young man

and he relished the opportunity to study classical architecture

in Italy and France and learn from the great tutors

and hone his draughtsmanship skills.

And he didn't forget about Hopetoun.

This marble chimneypiece is the first piece of interior design

chosen for Hopetoun by Robert Adam.

The iconography is typically classical

and shows what influenced Robert in his five years abroad.

But rather than copy the classical, as had been done previously,

Robert Adam adapted it and he made it his own with clean lines

and greater simplicity.

This became known as neoclassical.

Robert Adam is the most exported architect from Scotland.

His influence is worldwide.

It influenced the USA, it undoubtedly influenced throughout Europe.

-Effectively, we are exporting back to the source.

-Yes, exactly. Yes.

You know, Scottish neoclassicism

becomes a great world architectural movement.

So, why is this house so important to Scotland?

This house brings together Bruce, William Adam, Robert Adam.

-You've got the father of Scottish architecture...

-Yes.

..you've got the greatest dynasty in Scottish architecture

and they all coalesce here.

They are all to be found in this one, magnificent house.

Like many grand country houses, Hopetoun sparkles with grandeur

and impeccable taste and character.

But that's not all.

If you scratch the surface,

you will find it holds a rather special place in history.

Welcome back. As you can see, our valuation day is in full swing.

It's all hands on deck right now.

Let's join up with our experts

and see what else we can find to take off to auction.

It's over to James with a most unusual piece of militaria.

Matthew, I have to say, you look as if you've robbed

the dungeons of some Scottish castle somewhere! Where's it all from?

It's been sitting in my own garage for about ten years.

And before that, I inherited it from my father who lived in Cambridge.

It came with a twin.

-There was another suit of armour which my brother inherited.

-Right.

There were two of them

and I do remember them standing guard in my father's house at one point.

Well, I have to say,

if there was a suit of armour in my parents' house like this,

the first thing I'd have done is try to put it on.

Unfortunately, I'm a little too big for it to fit these days.

It's one of those things that I think would be a 19th-century piece

-that would never have been designed to use.

-Yes.

If we were talking about something from the 1500s, 1400s,

it would be incredibly valuable.

-I've never thought it was that old, I must admit.

-Good.

Tell me, was it set up in pristine condition?

It was a long time ago and then it was taken down

because it really wasn't in that pristine condition.

It's always kind of looked like this.

It's not the Scottish rain that's done it on the way here, then?

It was all shiny when I brought it!

Well, what we've got is a whole mass of bits and bobs.

Does this constitute enough of a suit of armour to be complete?

There were lots of pieces. There would be arm armour as well.

It would have articulated gloves

-that would look a bit like lobster tails over the fingers.

-Yes.

So you've got, probably, 70%.

But what we have got

is a really good-looking interior designer's piece

that would fit in so many different venues.

It's the sort of thing that would go into a Tudor pub called The Knight.

Or an old, Tudor-beamed hotel.

So, having added it up, I think 300-500 as an estimate

and a firm reserve of 300. Is that all right?

That would be fine with me, yes.

Won't your boys be upset that you've sold it?

Well, my boys love it, I love it, but my wife hates it.

-Won't even let it in the house.

-So, boys... How many? Two?

-Three.

-Three.

Three boys and you love it.

So four people love it and one person hates it

-and that one person is getting her way.

-As usual, yes!

-That's not on.

-That is an 80:20 split.

-Well, you tell my wife that!

No, it will do very well and go to a home where they'll love it.

The Victorians loved a bit of Gothic revival

and this suit of armour fits the bill.

But it certainly doesn't fit James!

Now, something with a bit more sparkle.

This charming little insect brooch is definitely going to create

a buzz in the saleroom.

Thank you very much for bringing it, Gordon and Liz.

I presume it's yours, Liz?

Well, it is, but it came from Gordon's side of the family.

-Ah, right! Whereabouts?

-An old aunt of mine had it.

She was born in the 1890s so it could well be early 20th century.

-I don't know.

-I think it's probably Edwardian, isn't it?

-It could be, as she was growing up.

-Yes.

-As far as I know, she never really wore it.

-Really?

I've always been aware of it being in the house.

Not the sort of thing you would wear either then?

It isn't. I don't tend to wear silver. I prefer gold things.

-Have you ever worn it, Gordon?

-Not that I remember.

-That's why it's ended up on the table here at Flog It!

-Yes.

We have little cabochon garnets as the eyes

and then a couple of amethysts there.

Then a little row of seed pearls on the wings.

-And it's set in silver.

-It is silver? We weren't sure about that.

Yes, it's definitely going to be silver.

It could be made on the Continent

-otherwise it would carry an English hallmark.

-I see.

Because it is only in silver, it's going to have

a relatively limited value.

I think it's going to be £100-£150 worth.

I suggest a reserve of 80. Is that all right with you?

Yes, that sounds good.

-Let's hope it creeps along and makes a great price.

-Makes a buzz, yes!

Thank you very much.

Insect inspired jewellery tends to be popular at auction

so let's hope there isn't a fly in the ointment on today's show.

George, whenever you see a box like that, it could only possibly

have one of two things in it.

It's either a magician's wand or a conductor's baton.

-Which is it?

-I couldn't tell you.

Oh! It's a strange thing.

It's not tapered like a conductor's baton.

-No.

-It's almost like a ceremonial staff, isn't it?

-Uh-huh.

Presented to MW Balfe, May 1841.

Balfe is a composer, an Irish composer, who was born

around 1806/1808, something like that, and died around 1875.

I think each one of these bands

is in recognition of one of his operas.

-I see.

-Yes?

Does that...? Yeah.

We've got The Siege of Rochelle,

The Maid of Artois,

Val...

Yes, Val Morris.

It sounds like Van Morrison, that's about as close as I can get to it!

It's a different era.

The wood is probably beech, the bands are in silver,

although they are not hallmarked.

-Do you know of anything else he wrote?

-Come Into The Garden, Maud.

Come Into The Garden, Maud?

-Is that a song or an opera?

-A song.

What an interesting thing! I've never seen anything like it ever.

-How long have you had it?

-I've had it over 30 years.

Where did it come from?

A friend of mine in Glasgow.

-Do you want to sell it?

-Aye.

I was almost hoping you'd say no!

Because I don't know what to put on it.

I'm going to ask for a second opinion.

Adam!

Have a look at this.

What do you make of that?

Composer. These are his operas.

We've got vacant rings down the bottom there.

A lovely thing, but not very practical as a baton.

-Just a presentation thing.

-Presentation, yeah.

-I would imagine something like 2...

-BOTH: 200-300.

-Yes, good. Thank you.

-Any time.

I'll call you if I need you again!

THEY CHUCKLE

Oh, dear.

I think we should put a reserve of £200 on it.

All right.

-And estimate 250-350.

-OK.

-Is that all right for you?

-That's fine.

Well, it's a really unusual thing

and an absolute pleasure to see.

Thank you very much. Thank you, George. Thank you for bringing it in.

# Come into the garden, Maud

# For the black, bat night... #

Another Flog It! first.

A ceremonial baton presented to a famous Irish composer.

Michael Balfe, your memory lives on.

Well, what a marvellous time we've had here at our magnificent

host venue, Hopetoun House, just outside of Edinburgh.

Our experts have now made their final choices of items to put in the sale.

You've seen them. Let's now put those values to the test,

as we head over to the auction room in Glasgow.

Here's a quick recap of what's coming with us.

Adorned with amethysts and seed pearls,

this statement brooch would make the perfect gift

for a loved one.

Will there be a buyer in the room?

And two very rare items.

Which one surprises everyone by making way over the estimate?

A suit of armour that Matthew's wife will be pleased to see the back of

or the engraved baton that any Balfe fan would be proud to own?

So let's see if there are any buyers in the saleroom, or on the phone.

Right now I'm not going to wave a magic wand,

it's going to be a magic baton

because this is one of my favourite things of the valuation day.

It belongs to George and it's a 19th-century composer's baton.

This really exposed my lack of knowledge of classical music.

OK, but it is a lovely thing, one of my favourite things.

It's quality and we say "quality sells". Let's put it to the test.

Good luck, George, this is it. Here we go.

A presentation baton to Michael William Balfe.

Can we say 500?

300? Start me at £200.

100, then?

100 bid.

Any advance on 100?

110, 120, 130,

140.

150, 160, 170,

180...

We've got somebody on the phone, as you can see. There's a phone bid.

..200...

220 on the phone.

£220. Any advance on £220?

220. 220.

And it's gone, £220. Well done, James, spot on.

-Just.

-It's gone, £220.

It went to somebody on the phone at the back of the room.

Phone bidding is a great way to be part of the auction

if you cannot make it in person.

A commission of 18% still applies.

If you like creepy crawlies and you like a bit of bling,

you will love this next lot.

It's a brooch and it belongs to Liz and she's here with her husband.

I guess, Liz, if you're going to have a brooch, it's got to be something so unusual

that people just gravitate towards it and look at it.

-Did you wear it?

-No, I didn't.

-You didn't like it?

-It's not my colour.

That's why I like to marry a girl who prefers gold to silver.

Well, yeah! Expensive tastes!

I like this. Fingers crossed this is going to fly. Here we go.

It's going to fly(!)

It's this large, white metal bug brooch.

Can we say £200?

150?

Can you start me at £100?

50.

She had 100 there.

70, 80, 90, 100,

110, 120,

130...

130. 140, 150,

160...

160. 170, fresh bidder.

180, 190...

Are you bidding, sir?

200 on the phone.

-It's the right money, isn't it?

-Mmm.

-210.

-Well done!

220, 230, fresh bidder.

230, 240 on the phone.

250, 260,

270, 280, 290,

300, 310...

-It's fantastic.

-I thought it might have sold on the web.

-..320, 330.

-That's clever.

340, 350...

We've got two keen bidders fighting it out now.

..370, 380,

390, 400,

410...

£410.

£410, I don't believe this.

It's with you, sir, at 410. Any advance on 410?

Selling in the room at 410!

GAVEL FALLS

Fantastic!

What a great result!

You've got to be happy with that. Gordon?

£410!

That's a strong price.

A great result for Gordon and Liz

and that brooch has flown to a new owner.

It was our ruby anniversary last year.

I've seen this brooch today. It was just beautiful.

I didn't know he was going to buy it for me.

It was a surprise.

I bet you didn't know an auction could be the place for pure romance.

And, finally, that suit of armour.

I think this is a first on Flog It! It belongs to Matthew.

I know your brother has almost a twin set.

I can imagine both of you dressed in suits of armour,

trying to have a joust, or a fight together

and hardly moving.

It's an interesting lot this.

Out of all the things that I took in on the valuation day,

I think this might do...I'm putting my neck on the line

but I think it might do a lot better than we've said.

We've got three to five. Let's hope we get that top end

and a bit more.

17 pieces of Victorian armour in the Medieval style.

Now I have bids on the books...

Will you start me at £500?

Will you start me at 500 on the floor?

-500.

-Straight in.

500, 550

600, 650

700, 750

800, 850...

There's competition in the room and a phone line behind me, as well.

This is looking good.

..1,000...

1,000.

1,050, 1,100.

1,150, 1,200.

1,250, 1,300.

1,350, 1,400.

1,450, 1,500...

-Come on.

-Good.

-..1,550.

1,600.

Hard thing to value, £1,600 we have.

1,700.

1,800, 1,900.

-2,000...

-Well, everyone's...

-I said so.

2,100.

2,200.

2,300.

2,400.

2,500...

That's where I thought it was going to stop.

-2,500.

-Don't you just love auctions?

Any advance on 2,500?

2,500...

What's it worth? £2,500 and you've got a round of applause in the room.

I think it deserved that, as well.

-I'm so pleased about that.

-Wow!

-That's absolutely fantastic.

-And where was it?

-It was stuck in a cardboard box in my garage.

Wow! Hence all the rust. Tell your brother what it's worth.

-He'll be the first on the phone.

-I bet he will!

-He'll be putting it into auction, as well.

-I'm sure he will be.

Don't forget there's 18% plus VAT to pay here on the commission.

Nevertheless, that's a great deal of money to be going home with.

What a way to end today's show in a packed saleroom in Glasgow

with a result like that. I told you there'd be a surprise.

Join us for many more surprises in the future

but, until then, it's goodbye from all of us.